West Texas rail crossing had 10 previous accidents

By JOAN LOWYFriday November 16, 2012 12:15 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal records show there were 10 previous collisions at the same West Texas railroad crossing where a train slammed into a parade float carrying wounded veterans and their families.

Records reviewed by The Associated Press from the Federal Railroad Administration show that five cars and five trucks have been struck by trains or rail equipment at the Garfield railroad crossing in Midland since 1979. Six drivers were injured in the accidents but there were no fatalities.

The trains involved in the previous collisions were moving slowly at the time of the accidents — between 15 miles per hour and 25 miles per hour.

Four veterans were killed and 16 other people were injured Thursday when a train struck a tractor-trailer truck towing the float that was stopped on the crossing.

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